Exposed Grounding Rod
The grounding rod, a metal rod driven into the ground outside that connects the electrical system to the earth, is sticking up above the ground instead of being fully driven in.
OccasionalPlan for itSafetyWiring and grounding
Why it matters
A grounding rod that is improperly installed or excessively exposed may reduce the effectiveness of the electrical grounding system, increasing the risk of electrical faults or shock hazards.
How common is it?
Found in 7% of the homes HomeCloud evaluated, Sep 2025 to Oct 2026.
Counted by the finding's name on HomeCloud reports, so the true number can be a little higher.
How soon to fix it
HomeCloud reports list this as something to plan for rather than an emergency.
More electrical resources
What kind of electrical panel do I have?How to find your panel's brand and size, fuse vs breaker panels, and what reputable sources say about Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and other older panels.GFCI and AFCI protection explainedWhat GFCI and AFCI protection do, where homes usually have them, how to test them each month, and why many older homes don't.Aluminum wiring in older homesHow to tell if a home has aluminum branch wiring, why the connections are the concern, and the repairs the CPSC considers permanent.
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